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Call for Proposals for the Preparation of ARP (Applying Research to Practice) Resources Related to Gender Equity in STEM Education, Outreach and Retention

Please forward to other relevant listservs. Online version available at:
http://www.engr.psu.edu/awe/misc/LitOverviewsProposals.aspx

If you are interested in reviewing ARP Resources, click here.

The SWE AWE Project and NAE CASEE are seeking proposals to create new Research to Practice (ARP) Resources and revise/update existing documents. The Resources include 3 documents: Abstract, Literature Overview, and Information Sheet. 

Proposals will be reviewed as received.

The ARP Resources provide reliable and current research-based information to engineering educators, K-12 teachers, and engineering outreach program administrators to aid in the planning, design and implementation of activities, interventions and teaching-learning methodologies.

SWE-AWE is the Society of Women Engineers’ Assessing Women and Men in Engineering Project (NSF #01210642). NAE CASEE is the Center for the Advancement of Scholarship on Engineering Education (NSF #0533520) ­ the first operating center of the National Academy of Engineering.
 
The intended audience for the Resources is practitioners (rather than experts on resource topics). Proposals and final documents must:

  • Emphasize summarizing research related to engineering and other STEM disciplines. for use by instructional professionals in K-12 and undergraduate classrooms and professionals and volunteers engaged in K-16 outreach activities.
  • Limit use of and/or explain technical language, jargon, or acronyms.

The package of deliverables for each ARP Resource set comprises:

  • Abstract - 300 word overview of the Information Sheet and Research Overview and with citations.
  • Information Sheet - 900 – 1300 word reference guide for educators and outreach administrators that emphasizes application of the research discussed in the more in depth Research Overview, which includes:
    • A real-world example of your topic
    • A brief review of the literature
    • Examples of practical applications and recommendations for implementation
    • Recommendations for future research
    • Citations (APA style)
  • Literature Overview –3500-4500 word summary and synthesis of research on a topic or construct (e.g. self-efficacy, mentoring). The Literature Overview differs from traditional research reviews in that it is not necessarily an exhaustive discussion of all research available, but describes prevailing research, including opposing views, and practices. Length may vary based upon topic. Overviews must:
    • Describe how the construct or topic relates to and impacts STEM
    • Emphasize gender
    • Provide examples or recommendations of how to address issues or implement interventions
    • Discuss future areas for research and/or research agenda.
    • Discuss assessment methodologies (e.g. references to high quality measurement instruments)
    • Citations (APA style)

Topics Sought:
Authors may propose to address any topic that impacts gender and STEM education, with an emphasis on engineering, and is important for the development of educational and educational outreach activities. Proposals for topics not on the list below are welcome. Topics sought include:

  • Best Practices in Engineering Classrooms: Problem Solving, Cooperative Learning, Use of Questions
  • Attribution Theory*
  • Career Development for Girls and Women relating to STEM*
  • Designing Effective Collaborations between K-12 Teachers and STEM Volunteers
  • Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Awareness for Classroom and Outreach Education
  • Undergraduate Research: Best Practices and Impact on Recruiting and Retention

(* indicates existing ARPs that need re-writing/revision)

These ARP Resources are in process or have been recently completed and need not be addressed:

  • Mentoring and Women in Engineering
  • Stereotype Threat
  • Girls’ Experiences in the Classroom
  • Motivational Factors: Interest and Self-Concept
  • Self Efficacy
  • Self-Authorship
  • Gender Differences in Mathematics Achievement
  • Gender Differences in Science Achievement
  • Recruitment and Retention of Minority Students
  • Visual Spatial Skills

For examples of existing products, go to: http://www.engr.psu.edu/awe/secured/director/assessment/overviews.aspx .
Both AWE and CASEE products are listed there, as is a link to the CASEE web page.
(If you have not already registered on AWEonline.org, you will need to complete the quick, free registration to access this page.) For a description of how the original overviews were developed, go to: https://www.engr.psu.edu/awe/secured/director/lit_overview/backg.aspx. Samples will be provided upon request.
 
Deliverables: Proposals for the full ARP Resources must include—
Topic or construct proposed
Outline for Proposed Overview (approximately 3 pages)
Outline for Information Sheet (1 page)
Copies of prior work discussing construct or topic
Timeline for work (including start and completion dates).
Estimate for completion, based on $500/day with a recommended cap of $2500.**
Author(s) Vitae or Resume

**The recommended cap is based on the expectation that authors will have expertise on the constructs or topics proposed.

Attribution and Copyright
Authors of the ARP Resources will grant SWE and CASEE a non-exclusive, worldwide license (a) to post the ARP Resources on the SWE-AWE and CASEE web sites; and b) to include the work in SWE, AWE and CASEE documents, web sites, and promotional materials.  Author(s) will identify SWE, AWE and CASEE and provide links to the web site in all future uses.
 
Important Submission Requirements
Send proposals and related materials for the selection process as e-mail attachments to awe@engr.psu.edu by the quarterly deadline (see list above).
Include the words “AWE-CASEE Overviews” in subject line and preface titles of all files with proposer surname(s).
Direct questions to Barbara Bogue, BBogue@psu.edu or Beth Cady, ECady@nae.edu.
 
Process: Contract and Schedule
The proposals will be reviewed upon receipt and authors will receive a response within two weeks after submission. The proposals and final papers are subject to review by a panel of peer reviewers. Aggregate comments/recommendations are sent to the authors for use in revision. When changes are returned, the ARP Resources are edited for style and to make sure that all terminology is transparent for lay readers. At this point, authors receive instructions for invoicing and any additional requests for change from the editor. These requests are typically stylistic and/or terminology-related and are quick fixes. The reviewing process typically takes 6 weeks to 2 months. Deliverables are due within three months of acceptance by the review committee. 
 
Author(s) will complete an online agreement with SWE-AWE. Payment is upon completion of final ARP Resources.
NAE CASEE (HRD #0533530, #0533520) and The AWE Project (#0120642, 0607081, 0010224, 0734072) are funded through the National Science Foundation.

Volunteer to Review Resources
Volunteer to review resources for the new NSF SWE AWE and National Academy of Engineering CASEE Applying Research to Practice (ARP) Resources. This is a great opportunity to update your knowledge on research that impacts the development and delivery of STEM education and outreach. It also helps to build a solid library for practitioners and researchers alike.

Reviewers will review three documents: a 300 word abstract; 900-1300 word information sheet; and a 3500-4500 word research overview. Complete reviews will take 30 to 60 minutes to complete. Reviewers will add comments directly to the documents and make a recommendation on acceptance. Criteria for acceptance include: scholarship, usability for a broad, non-expert audience, and clear recommendations for applicability of research to practice. For a complete description of the Resources, click here.  All reviews are confidential.

All reviewers will be acknowledged on a shared web page of the NAE CASEE and SWE AWE. (If you do not wish to be acknowledged, let us know in your return email.

We are looking for researchers and practitioners as reviewers.

To volunteer or for questions/comments fill out this brief form.